Of Counsel
Marian Mayer Berkett joined Deutsch and Kerrigan (as it was known then) in August 1937 as an associate and became a partner some years later. She is now Partner Emeritus. During her many years with the firm she has been engaged in a complete gamut of issues and covered many areas of practice, finally narrowing her diverse practice to Construction Law, Fidelity and Surety Law, and Successions (Probate matters).
In the course of the years she has had phenomenal success as a trial lawyer, bringing to successful conclusion approximately 97% of a multitude of cases in which she has often defended the unfavored client. Judge Alvin Rubin, lately of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, said of her:
"Her achievements as a trial lawyer are legendary. Beginning at a time when there were few, if any, women trial lawyers in the United States, she tried lawsuits with superb ability, skill, intelligence and strategy, yielding no ground to any opponent. She was a strong advocate without becoming hostile or aggressive yet ever vigilant to protect the interest of her client."
In the field of Air Law, she was primarily responsible for the favorable outcome in Chicago and Southern Air Lines, Inc. v. Waterman Steamship Corporation, 333 U.S.103, 68 S.Ct.431, 92 L.Ed. 568 (1948); in Construction Law, Lambert v. Maryland Casualty Co., 418 So.2d 553 (La.1982); and in Succession Law, the most recent case of Succession of Suggs, 612 So.2d 297 (La. App. 5th Cir. 1982).
Ms. Berkett has been a lecturer in numerous continuing education seminars on construction law, fidelity and surety law, successions and ethics. She has authored articles for the Tulane Law Review, and published "Workmen's Compensation Law in Louisiana" (Louisiana State University Press, 1937).
Ms. Berkett has also contributed significantly to her community, serving as the Honorary Chair of the Louisiana Civil Service League and receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also Vice-President and Treasurer of Family Service Society, and a member of the Board of the Council of Social Agencies and of the Community Chest, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the Dean's Council of the Tulane Law School.
Professional Activities and Honors
Special Designation Award of the New Orleans Bar Association, 1999
American Bar Association
-- Fidelity and Surety Committee, Vice-Chair
-- Tort and Insurance Practice Section
-- Forum on the Construction Industry, Cornerstone Award, 1996
-- Forum on the Construction Industry, Governing Committee, 1987-1993
Distinguished Graduate Award, Tulane Law School, 1992
Honorary Order of Coif, Louisiana Chapter, 1983
Monte M. Lemann Award, 1973
Louisiana Civil Service Commission
-- Commissioner, 1963-1975
American Law Institute
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
Notarial Association of New Orleans
Jefferson Parish Charter Commission
Education
L.L.B., First in Class, Tulane University, 1937
M.A., Louisiana State University, 1935
B.A., Louisiana State University, 1933
Geneva School of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland, 1933
In the course of the years she has had phenomenal success as a trial lawyer, bringing to successful conclusion approximately 97% of a multitude of cases in which she has often defended the unfavored client. Judge Alvin Rubin, lately of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, said of her:
"Her achievements as a trial lawyer are legendary. Beginning at a time when there were few, if any, women trial lawyers in the United States, she tried lawsuits with superb ability, skill, intelligence and strategy, yielding no ground to any opponent. She was a strong advocate without becoming hostile or aggressive yet ever vigilant to protect the interest of her client."
In the field of Air Law, she was primarily responsible for the favorable outcome in Chicago and Southern Air Lines, Inc. v. Waterman Steamship Corporation, 333 U.S.103, 68 S.Ct.431, 92 L.Ed. 568 (1948); in Construction Law, Lambert v. Maryland Casualty Co., 418 So.2d 553 (La.1982); and in Succession Law, the most recent case of Succession of Suggs, 612 So.2d 297 (La. App. 5th Cir. 1982).
Ms. Berkett has been a lecturer in numerous continuing education seminars on construction law, fidelity and surety law, successions and ethics. She has authored articles for the Tulane Law Review, and published "Workmen's Compensation Law in Louisiana" (Louisiana State University Press, 1937).
Ms. Berkett has also contributed significantly to her community, serving as the Honorary Chair of the Louisiana Civil Service League and receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also Vice-President and Treasurer of Family Service Society, and a member of the Board of the Council of Social Agencies and of the Community Chest, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the Dean's Council of the Tulane Law School.
Professional Activities and Honors
Special Designation Award of the New Orleans Bar Association, 1999
American Bar Association
-- Fidelity and Surety Committee, Vice-Chair
-- Tort and Insurance Practice Section
-- Forum on the Construction Industry, Cornerstone Award, 1996
-- Forum on the Construction Industry, Governing Committee, 1987-1993
Distinguished Graduate Award, Tulane Law School, 1992
Honorary Order of Coif, Louisiana Chapter, 1983
Monte M. Lemann Award, 1973
Louisiana Civil Service Commission
-- Commissioner, 1963-1975
American Law Institute
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
Notarial Association of New Orleans
Jefferson Parish Charter Commission
Education
L.L.B., First in Class, Tulane University, 1937
M.A., Louisiana State University, 1935
B.A., Louisiana State University, 1933
Geneva School of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland, 1933
